XR 400 Electric Start Kit

[JMo]

Hello all!

I have the XR Stuff kit (made by Boechat) on my 650R, and it works very very well - just like a factory install to be honest. I understand that John used to sell the Joe Racer kit, but had a few problems with it, and if that is also the case with the 400R kit, then I would go for the Boechat/XR Stuff one every time... afterall, the point of spending the (amount of!) money is to have something that works well every time?

It is a lot of money, but it really does transform the bike.

Hope that helps,

xxx

[jayt40_4]

Hi,

Many thanks for the info, i think i will go for the XR Stuff kit ASAP.

Many thanks

Cheers

Jay

[JMo]

Having got one for the 650R, I'm planning on getting one for my 400 too...

Sure on that bike I've managed without it so far, but it tricky conditions (half way up a hill or up to your knees in mud) being able to simply stroke the button really does make a difference... you won't regret it x

xxx

[HONDA XR400]

Hi all i am 17 and the proud owner of an xr400 i love it to bits, i want my dad to come riding with me but when he was 16 he was in a motorcycle accident and nealy lost his right leg, they saved the foot but it doesnt bend or work alot, he loves my bike but cant start it, so i thought i wounder if i could get an electric start for one and then he could have one, failing that i would need another type of bike, some sort of air cooled, electric start, enduro, motocross bike about 400cc im not too clued up on bike makes so can anyone help me out on what make and model meets my requirements? Thanks all the best joe.

[JMo]

Originally Posted by HONDA XR400

Hi all i am 17 and the proud owner of an xr400 i love it to bits, i want my dad to come riding with me but when he was 16 he was in a motorcycle accident and nealy lost his right leg, they saved the foot but it doesnt bend or work alot, he loves my bike but cant start it, so i thought i wounder if i could get an electric start for one and then he could have one, failing that i would need another type of bike, some sort of air cooled, electric start, enduro, motocross bike about 400cc im not too clued up on bike makes so can anyone help me out on what make and model meets my requirements? Thanks all the best joe.

Hey there Joe - yes you can get an e-start kit for the 400, and it works very well (just like a factory install really) using many parts from the Honda TRX quad... XTStuff.co.uk in the UK sell them - however, they are quite expensive - new they are around £1000, but they do have the option of using some secondhand components (such as the outer case), and these are around £700...

The British Army use these kits on their XR400s, so I guess that means they are proven!

J xx

ps. It is very hard to get an air-cooled electric-start enduro bike, as the e'starts really came in with the advent of the water-cooled bikes in the early 2000's. However, the later Suzuki DR350's had electric start (excellent bike) and something like the Yamaha TTR250 was air-cooled with e-start... however, they are less competition machines and more 'trail' bikes - none the less capable for that mind you, unless you are planning on racing/jumping etc...

[HONDA XR400]

hi matey thanks for that its very helpful, why do the army use xrs?

[JMo]

I guess for the same reason a lot of trail-riders like them - they are very strong, simple, and dead reliable - and need comparatively little maintenance compared to the later, more race-focussed (and water cooled) machinery...

Compared to the previous generation Army motorcycles (Armstrong/Harley clunkers) the Hondas are positively svelt, and used (presumably) in a fast liaison/scout capacity, a lot faster and more comfortable/manageable off-road.

You sometimes see them come up for sale in Military auctions - its funny to see them all painted in olive drab!

J xx

[HONDA XR400]

Originally Posted by JMo

I guess for the same reason a lot of trail-riders like them - they are very strong, simple, and dead reliable - and need comparatively little maintenance compared to the later, more race-focussed (and water cooled) machinery...

Compared to the previous generation Army motorcycles (Armstrong/Harley clunkers) the Hondas are positively svelt, and used (presumably) in a fast liaison/scout capacity, a lot faster and more comfortable/manageable off-road.

You sometimes see them come up for sale in Military auctions - its funny to see them all painted in olive drab!

J xx

ahh right, yeh well i dont know why honda didnt continue that bike because it was one of the best like if you look now there are crf's and they look horrible and are just crap in my opinion, but the xr has its looks aswell as power and bottom end grunt, where are you from~? im from the northest uk

[stretchy]

Have to say it and suprised no one else has..............

Just fit the TRX engine, job done!

Doing another at the mo' so my other XR400 (with 'leccy start) will be for sale soon, watch this space.....................

Why aren't more people doing this? it's a straight swap with just some fiddling with the electrics to incorporate a battery and solenoid.

I'm trying some LiFePO4 batteries and a custom regulator which I'll use for starting the bike.

Finding a TRX engine may be a problem but I fortunately found one rather cheap but have had to wait 6 months to find a donor bike!

Now, how the **** do I get that seized swinging arm bolt out!!!!



Haven't owned a DR350 Suzi but they're fine as is the Yammi TTR-250, I have one as a road bike and is super smooth (bucket and shim rather than silly heavy valve adjusters) and will do over 70MPH just not as powerful as the XR but far more refined so more a trial bike than a Motorcross bike.

[jasonbc]

[QUOTE=stretchy;440895]Have to say it and suprised no one else has..............



Now, how the **** do I get that seized swinging arm bolt out!!!!


QUOTE]

I've heard a lot about these seized bolts but never experienced one on any xr i've worked on. The only one i did have a bitch to get on was on a Yamaha xt550 that wouldn't budge with a lump hammer, heat, frost in the end i got an air recipricating saw and cut between the swing arm and frame on both sides to drop the swingarm out then needed to get a new pivot bolt.

If you are having problems with and assuming you get it out when you refit make sure you fit grase nipples to the top of the swingarm and linkages then when ever it gets submerged or periodically you can just pump it up and it won't seize again